June 11, 2026
Mr. Carson (for himself, Ms. Norton, Mr. Cohen, Ms. Brown, and Ms. Titus) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require participation in the summer EBT program as a condition of participating in the school lunch program, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Summer EBT participation
(a) Program participation
Section 13A(a) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1762(a)) is amended—
(1)
in the matter preceding paragraph (1)—
(A)
by striking electing to participate in such program
and inserting described in paragraph (2)
;
(B)
by striking beginning with summer 2024 and annually
;
(C)
by striking thereafter
; and
(D)
by striking The Secretary shall
and inserting the following:
(1) In general
The Secretary shall;
(2)
by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B); and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(2) States and covered Indian Tribal organizations
(A) Summers 2024–26
With respect to summers 2024, 2025, and 2026, States and covered Indian Tribal organizations described in this paragraph are States and covered Indian Tribal organizations electing to participate in the program established under paragraph (1).
(B) Summer 2027 and beyond
With respect to summer 2027 and each summer thereafter, States and covered Indian Tribal organizations described in this paragraph are—
(i)
States participating in the school lunch program under this Act; and
(ii)
covered Indian Tribal organizations—
(I)
participating in the school lunch program under this Act; or
(II)
electing to participate in the program established under paragraph (1).
(b) Program requirements
Section 13A(c)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1762(c)(1)) is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking elect to
.
(c) Administrative and management plan
(1) In general
Section 13A(g) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1762(g)) is amended—
(A)
by striking Beginning in 2024
and inserting the following:
(1) Summers 2024–26
With respect to the years 2024, 2025, and 2026; and
(B)
by adding at the end the following:
(2) Summer 2027 and beyond
Beginning in 2027, each State required to participate in the program under this section shall comply with the requirements under section 13(n)(3).
(2) Conforming amendments
Section 13(n) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1761(n)(2)) is amended—
(A)
in paragraph (2)—
(i)
in the heading for such paragraph, by striking and beyond
and inserting through summer 2026
; and
(ii)
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking Beginning in 2024
and inserting With respect to the years 2024, 2025, and 2026
; and
(B)
by adding at the end the following:
(3) Summer 2027 and beyond
Beginning in 2027, each State desiring to participate in the program under this section or required to participate in the summer EBT program under section 13A shall—
(A)
with respect to the program under this section, notify the Secretary by January 1 of each year of its intent to administer such program; and
(B)
with respect to the program under this section and the summer EBT program under section 13A, submit for approval by February 15 a management and administration plan for the applicable program for the fiscal year, which shall include, as applicable, the information described in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of paragraph (2).
(d) Participation requirement
Section 13A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1762(g)) is amended—
(1)
by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and
(2)
by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
(h) Participation requirement
Beginning with summer 2027, a State that participates in the school lunch program under this Act shall participate in the program under this section.